James McNay was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, on January 31, 1907. Between 1951 and 1953, he worked in the payroll department for Alcan. He had to leave his wife Effie and his two young daughters, Margaret and Diane, aged 6 and 5 in 1951, at home in Surrey, B.C., during his 3-4 month stints in Kitimat. To fill some of his free time and show his family where he was and what Kitimat was like, he spent many hours walking in the area with a 35mm Kodak camera. He photographed the scenic beauty of the area and parts of the construction of both the smelters and the town. He died in Surrey on August 7, 1983.
Custodial History
Donated by Margaret McNay. Images were taken by her father and sent to their family in Surrey in the 1950s.
Scope and Content
Slide showing view of smeltersite from Douglas Channel side. On right is Delta King and the bunkhouses, and on the left is Hospital Beach.
Taken from top deck of Delta King showing Rec. Hall + Feed Ryan's workshop at left. Prior to closing of Helen's Cafe. Note Pum.p + Steam in forground. The pump was used to keep waterout of Coffer Dam around Delta King + is used to heat Rec. Hall, Hospital, School, Bunkhouses, and Cafeteria
Taken from top deck of Delta King showing Rec. Hall + Feed Ryan's workshop at left. Prior to closing of Helen's Cafe. Note Pum.p + Steam in forground. The pump was used to keep waterout of Coffer Dam around Delta King + is used to heat Rec. Hall, Hospital, School, Bunkhouses, and Cafeteria
Photo showing Duncan Kerr of Terrace at the microphone (newly elected Vice-President of B.C. Boards of Trade) - CNR Official Opening Kitimat - Terrace Line.
#2 Northern Sentinel: Box #2: (A) Historical (1) Associated Boards of Trade of Central B.C. and Alaskan Affiliates.
Scope and Content
Photo showing Duncan Kerr of Terrace at the microphone (newly elected Vice-President of B.C. Boards of Trade) - CNR Official Opening Kitimat - Terrace Line.
Photo showing 'Last Spike Ceremony' - Canadian National Railways. L/R Frank M. Dockerill, (Coal Mine, Telkwa); Peggy Burbidge, Miss Kitimat; S.F. Dingle - CNR Executive
#2 Northern Sentinel: Box #2: (A) Historical (1) Associated Boards of Trade of Central B.C. and Alaskan Affiliates.
Scope and Content
Photo showing 'Last Spike Ceremony' - Canadian National Railways. L/R Frank M. Dockerill, (Coal Mine, Telkwa); Peggy Burbidge, Miss Kitimat; S.F. Dingle - CNR Executive
Photo showing 1st Passenger Train- CNR- Kitimat-Terrace, January 14, 1955. L/R Don Calder & Son (Doc's Cartage): John Major; Passenger Mac Ilroy; T. Buller, Snr. Interview CBC (no name).
#2 Northern Sentinel: Box #2: (A) Historical (1) Associated Boards of Trade of Central B.C. & Alaskan Affiliates.
Scope and Content
Photo showing 1st Passenger Train- CNR- Kitimat-Terrace, January 14, 1955. L/R Don Calder & Son (Doc's Cartage): John Major; Passenger Mac Ilroy; T. Buller, Snr. Interview CBC (no name).
Photo showing CNR - 1st train over CNR line linking Terrace to Kitimat 14 January 1955. L/R H. Gittigan, Brakeman; Tony Glayer, Fireman; Bob McKenzie, Engineer; Jim Douglas, Conductor; K.T. McKay, Brakeman; Sam Bell, Car Man.
Photo showing CNR - 1st train over CNR line linking Terrace to Kitimat 14 January 1955. L/R H. Gittigan, Brakeman; Tony Glayer, Fireman; Bob McKenzie, Engineer; Jim Douglas, Conductor; K.T. McKay, Brakeman; Sam Bell, Car Man.
Photo showing 'Official Opening' Canadian National Railway. L/R S.E.Dingle, Vice-President, in charge of CN Operations at microphone; Percy Radley, Alcan B.C. Operations; (no name).
Photo showing 'Official Opening' Canadian National Railway. L/R S.E.Dingle, Vice-President, in charge of CN Operations at microphone; Percy Radley, Alcan B.C. Operations; (no name).